01-12-1987 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 31, METRO DIGEST -o Square Building, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 — .....,tly digest of .-, government officials Community Services 1986 N RECENT COUNCIL ACTIONS The Metropolitan Council took the following actions in December: Aging --The Council approved its 1987-1990 area plan for programs on aging. The plan sets work objectives for the four-year period and proposed Title III funding priorities and grant allocations for 1987. The Council uses the plan to distribute federal and state money for programs fcr elderly people in the region. In addition to the plan, the Council approved three applications for congregate nutrition projects and three for home -delivered meals. Grantees and the awards: Volunteers of America, S1,288,882, Ramsey Action Programs, S762,138; Scott -Carver -Dakota Community Action Program, S142,390; Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches and Hennepin -Anoka Home Delivered -Meals, $327,544; Ramsey County Community Human Services $203,311, and Scott -Carver- Dakota Community Action Program, S38,209. Health --The Council recommended approval of an application by MedPlus Transportation Services, Inc., for a license to provide advanced -life-support ambulance service. The service will provide scheduled patient transfers among all HealthOne-affiliated facilities in the region Long -Term Care --The Council adopted a legislative position paper on long-term care. It will be used by the Council to give legislative testimony and to support legislation. Metro HRA--The Council settled a lawsuit with a renter under the Section 8 rent assistance program that involved Metro HRA procedures for handling damage claims. Parks --The Council decided to request 125 million in state funds from the legislature to fund the continued acquisition and development of the regional park system and 1b million for a proposed park on Lake Minnetonka The Council also said it supported the continuation of a state law that provides partial funding for the operation and maintenance of the parks In other park -related actions, the Council -Added 1220.000 to a development grant for Lake Minnewashta and Baylor Regional Parks, the activities of the Metropolitan Council prepared for and community leaders. For more information, call the Department at 291-6312. -Approved a development grant for ! 1.75 million for French Regional Park; -Approved the fiscal year 1988.89 parks capital improvement program; -Decided to add state and federal iecreation lands to the regional park system. and -Approved the 1986 report on water access on Metropolitan Area lakes and rivers. Projects and Programs Under Council Review --The Council decided to waive its review and comment of a number of federal programs and to change the Council's referral procedures accordingly. (See enclosed Council resolution that lists program review changes ) In addition, the Council decided to discontinue all review activities related to federal and state health care projects. Sewers --The Council approved an agreement under which sewer service will be provided to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Shakopee. The agreement includes service to 20 units of federally subsidized huusing in the Sioux Community area The Council received comments from the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission on the Council's notice to review its sewer policy plan. (See "Also of Interest" section below.) Solid Waste --The Council said the proposed vertical expansion of the Anoka Sanitary Landfill in the city of Ramsey is needed and is consistent with the Council's and Anoka County's solid waste plans. The Council approved a certificate -of -need for the proposed one million cubic- yard -expansion. concluding there are no feasible and Frudent alternatives to the expansion An environmental review of the proposal was not part of the action but will he conducted during the permit -review process The Council also set a public meeting on the environmental assessment worksheet prepared for the proposed expansion of the Anoka Sanitary Landfill (See "Public lieannps" section below ) The Council approved its 191% landfill Abatement Progress Report and its Metropolitan Solid Waste System Cost and Financing Report for the legislature. (The reports are being prepared for printing. See next month's "New Publications" list for availability.) The Council concluded that Joseph and Virginia Egan own land in candidate solid waste landfill site D in Anoka County and that Robert Sweet owns land in site Q in Anoka County. The action is a step toward the possible purchase of the property by Anoka County. Transportation--Th- Council approved the construction of Hwy. 3 (Lafayette Freeway) between Interstate Hwy. 494 and Hwys. 52 and 55 it Inver Grove Heights. The new road will be a four -lane divided highway, with connections to County Rd. �8, 70th St., Both St. and Hwys. 52 and 55. the Council urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers not to issue a wetland -fill permit so County Rd. 18 in Andover can be realigned. The area to be filled for the new alignment is a Department of Natural Resources -protected wetland. The Council asked Andover, Coon Rapids and Anoka County to look at alternative alignments or ways to mitigate the impact of the fill on the wetland. The Council received comments from the Regional Transit Board on the Council's notice to revise its transportation policy plan (See "Also of Interest" section below.) The Council also approved a regional transportation improvement program for 1987-1989. The program contains the transportation projects to be undertaken in the region during those years. Other --In other actions, the Council: forwarded comments on the Grass Lake watershed management plan to the Water Resources Board; approved its 1986 annual report to the legislature; approved an expansion of the year-2000 urban growth line to include all of White Bear Twp., approved a Brooklyn Park application to purchase highway right -of- way for Hwy 610, and commented on a -eport being developed in conjunction w, ; several regional agencies on administrative coordination so the comments can be considered in the final report